Please provide a brief overview of your company in Romania, including annual turnover (latest available fiscal year), number of employees and main business activities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Marquardt Romania is part of the Marquardt Group, a family-owned global company specializing in the development and production of innovative mechatronic systems for the automotive, power tools, home appliance, and other industrial sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established in Sibiu in 2004, with production starting in 2006, Marquardt Romania has grown into one of the Group’s largest subsidiaries. Today, approximately 1,600 employees contribute to its continued success, while the Marquardt Group employs around 9,000 people worldwide across 21 locations on 4 continents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Research & Development Center in Sibiu plays a key role within the Group, covering Program and Product Management, Software Development, Software and System Testing, Mechanical Design, HW Design, and Product Validation & Testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Production activities are carried out in two facilities in Sibiu and are organized around four business units: Human Machine Interface (HMI), Entry Authorization Systems (EAS), Power & Energy Systems, and Home & Industry Solutions. These units are supported by integrated competencies in electronics manufacturing, plastic injection molding, assembly, painting and laser technologies, advanced maintenance, and industrial engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Marquardt Business Services, established in Sibiu in 2020, provides shared service support to the Group’s international operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How would you assess your company’s performance over the past year, and what were the main growth drivers?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite a challenging economic environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and global trade tensions, Marquardt Romania delivered a resilient performance in fiscal year 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recorded revenues of over EUR 265 million, maintaining a stable level of sales comparable to previous years. This performance reflects the commitment and adaptability of our employees, who continuously ensured operational excellence under demanding market conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One important contribution came from the growing share of R&D services within our business portfolio. At the same time, we focused strongly on productivity improvements to offset increasing costs related to energy, logistics, transportation, and increasingly fragmented supply chains. New product generations also require higher investments in technology and utilities, making operational efficiency more important than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our strongest business drivers remained the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Entry Authorization Systems (EAS) product families, which continue to represent the backbone of our automotive business and a key contributor to stable revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are your business priorities and strategic objectives for the next three to five years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Marquardt Group’s strategic ambition is to strengthen its position as a leading global supplier of premium mechatronic solutions for automotive manufacturers and other technology-driven industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within this framework, Marquardt Romania will continue to serve as a trusted center of excellence in both research & development and manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the next years, our priorities will focus on expanding our technological competencies, accelerating the industrialization and maturity of new projects, diversifying our product portfolio, and further increasing operational agility. In a rapidly changing business environment, transformation, innovation, and efficiency will remain essential to sustaining long-term competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A further strategic priority is strengthening our position and experience as a software and systems engineering hub within the Marquardt Group, which started with the opening of the Sibiu Research & Development Center in 2006. As vehicles increasingly evolve into software-defined platforms, the ability to develop, validate, secure, and continuously improve software throughout the product lifecycle is becoming as important as traditional hardware innovation. We therefore continue to invest in software engineering capabilities, cybersecurity, systems architecture, validation automation, and AI-enabled development processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The automotive industry is evolving rapidly through electrification, AI, automation, connected mobility, and software development. Which technologies are currently shaping your company’s future strategy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a developer and manufacturer of advanced mechatronic systems for leading automotive OEMs, Marquardt is actively engaged in all these transformation areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Software is a critical component of all our products, enabling intelligent, reliable, and user-centric solutions. Our Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Entry Authorization Systems (EAS) products support vehicles regardless of their propulsion technology, whether conventional, hybrid, or fully electric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also contribute directly to the electrification trend through the development and production of battery systems, charging solutions, and battery management technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, connected mobility and automation represent key innovation pillars across the Group. The Sibiu R&D team plays a particularly important role through its expertise in Active Haptics and Force Detection technologies, which are shaping the next generation of intuitive and safer vehicle interfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What role does research, development, and innovation play within your Romanian operations?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Research, development, and innovation are central to Marquardt Romania’s long-term strategy and represent one of our key differentiators within the Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Innovation Department in Sibiu serves as the Group’s global competence center for Active Haptics and Force Detection technologies. These competencies, in cooperation with the R&D teams in Germany, have significantly contributed to the expansion of Marquardt’s Human-Machine Interface business, particularly in the area of advanced steering wheel systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A notable achievement has been the successful launch of steering wheel systems incorporating active haptic feedback, which enhance both driver safety and user comfort in premium vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, our R&D teams in Sibiu have played an important role in the development and industrialization of the Group’s next-generation Smart Access solutions, which are now being deployed across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. These intelligent access and authorization systems continue to gain market traction, complemented by strong demand for electronic steering column locks, door handle electronics, key fobs, and passive entry\/passive start technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the area of connected mobility, Marquardt continues to invest in next-generation vehicle access technologies. A notable milestone was the CCC certification of our PND3 platform, validating its compliance with globally recognized standards for digital key functionality and secure vehicle access. This achievement highlights our contribution to the growing ecosystem of connected and software-defined vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are your main investment priorities in Romania over the coming years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past two decades, Marquardt Romania has invested continuously in expanding and modernizing its operations in Sibiu. From an initial footprint of approximately 6,000 square meters, we have grown to a total site area of 87,000 square meters, including 57,000 square meters dedicated to production and office space, as well as 10,000 square meters for logistics activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, one of our key investment priorities is increasing energy efficiency and strengthening our energy independence through renewable sources. Sustainability is an integral part of our long-term strategy, and we have consistently invested in solutions that reduce both energy consumption and environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2025, we completed our second photovoltaic installation, giving both our manufacturing facilities access to renewable electricity. Together, the two solar plants comprise 2,979 photovoltaic panels with a total installed capacity of 1.27 MWp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The renewable energy generated annually allows us to avoid approximately 300 tons of CO\u2082 emissions compared to conventional electricity sources. This environmental impact is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption capacity of around 12,500 mature trees. Over the estimated 25-year lifespan of the installations, the total reduction will exceed 7,500 tons of CO\u2082.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond sustainability investments, we remain focused on investments in deploying cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, expanding production capabilities, and creating the capacity required to secure new business and support future growth projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which factors make Romania an attractive destination for automotive investments, and what improvements would further strengthen its competitiveness?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romania remains an attractive destination for automotive investments due to its strong engineering tradition, highly skilled workforce, competitive cost structure, and growing ecosystem of automotive manufacturers and suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country has demonstrated remarkable adaptability over the years, evolving from a manufacturing-focused location into an increasingly important hub for engineering, complete product development, and innovation activities. This combination of industrial knowledge and technical talent continues to attract international investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To further strengthen the country\u2019s competitiveness, continued investment in transport infrastructure, technical education, digitalization, and energy security will be essential. At the same time, a more predictable legislative and fiscal framework would support long-term investment decisions and encourage companies to expand higher-value activities in Romania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recruiting and retaining skilled professionals remains a challenge across the industry. How is your company addressing workforce development?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It may be a phrase repeated by every business, but it does not diminish the truth that people are our most valuable asset, therefore workforce development is a pillar of growth for Marquardt Romania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We invest continuously in attracting, developing, and retaining talent through partnerships with the University of Sibiu, but also with other academic centers, we keep a close relation with technical schools and educational institutions. We are involved in dual education at high school and university level, being a member of the consortium which built the first dual educational campus to start operating in our country. We offer internship and trainee programs that allow young professionals to gain practical experience and build long-term careers within the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For existing employees, we focus on creating a culture that combines professional development, innovation, and collaboration. Competitive benefits, modern working conditions and schedules, and clear career development opportunities help us retain talent in a highly competitive labour market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The profile of automotive talent is also changing. While traditional engineering competencies remain essential, we increasingly seek expertise in software engineering, systems engineering, data analytics, embedded development, cybersecurity, and AI-related disciplines. Our workforce development strategy reflects this transformation by expanding opportunities for employees to acquire digital and software-oriented skills that will remain critical in the future mobility ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you support continuous learning, leadership development, and the reskilling of employees in an increasingly digital industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At Marquardt Romania, we provide employees with access to a broad range of technical, digital, and leadership development programs. These include internal and external training sessions, technical certifications, project-based learning opportunities, mentoring, and international knowledge exchange within the Marquardt Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particular attention is given to developing competencies in software and system engineering, automation, data-driven processes, and emerging technologies. In parallel, we invest in leadership development programs that prepare employees to manage increasingly complex projects and multicultural teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our objective is not only to keep pace with technological change but to equip our people with the skills needed to shape the future of mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you consider to be the biggest opportunities and challenges facing Romania’s automotive industry over the next five years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romania’s automotive industry has significant opportunities to move further up the value chain and attract more responsibilities across engineering, product management, digital services, and Software as a Product (SaaP) organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of automotive value creation will increasingly be defined by software. Vehicles are becoming connected computing platforms that require continuous software evolution throughout their lifecycle. This creates opportunities for Romania to expand beyond traditional manufacturing and establish itself as a center for software engineering, AI development, cybersecurity, digital mobility services, and product lifecycle management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Romanian teams have repeatedly demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and technical excellence. Combined with strong engineering education and growing software expertise, this positions the country to play a larger role in the development of software-defined vehicles and next-generation mobility solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, our industry faces substantial challenges. Macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, rising operational costs, labour market pressures, and intense global competition require companies to become more efficient and innovative than ever before. Moreover, competition for highly qualified software and AI talent is becoming increasingly global. Success will depend on our ability to combine manufacturing excellence with digital capabilities and innovation leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you could recommend three measures that would strengthen Romania’s position as a leading automotive manufacturing and innovation hub, what would they be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First, I would encourage stronger collaboration through industry associations, trade employer organizations, and professional consortia capable of addressing strategic challenges collectively. Greater cooperation instead of blind competition can create synergies that benefit the participating companies and the entire ecosystem thus increasing Romania’s international competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, accelerating investment in technical education, engineering programs, and vocational training would help ensure a sustainable pipeline of highly qualified talent for the industry’s future needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third, Romania should actively encourage innovation ecosystems focused on software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital mobility technologies. Supporting closer collaboration between automotive companies, universities, startups, and technology providers would accelerate innovation and help position Romania as both a manufacturing center and a strategic software development hub for the global automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future vehicle will be defined less by the hardware it contains and more by the software complex experience it enables. For Romania, this represents a unique opportunity to complement its manufacturing excellence with world-class software engineering, AI expertise, and product innovation capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past two decades, Marquardt Romania has grown from a manufacturing operation in Sibiu into one of the Marquardt Group\u2019s important locations for both production and research & development. Today, with approximately 1,600 employees, the company combines advanced manufacturing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[54,51,1133,56],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17494"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17494"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17499,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17494\/revisions\/17499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.automotive-today.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Image-3-The-Marquardt-Centum-democar-unveiled-at-the-20-years-Anniversary-of-Marquardt-Romania-1024x571.jpg\")
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